Clotrimazole (kloe-TRIM-a-zole) topical preparations are used to treat fungus infections.

Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor's prescription. Others are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper dose for your medical condition.

Clotrimazole is available in the following dosage forms:

Topical

Cream (U.S. and Canada)

Lotion (U.S.)

Solution (U.S. and Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For topical clotrimazole, the following should be considered:

AllergiesÃ¢â�¬â€�Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to clotrimazole. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

PregnancyÃ¢â�¬â€�Clotrimazole has not been studied in pregnant women during the first trimester (3 months). However, clotrimazole used vaginally during the second and third trimesters has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feedingÃ¢â�¬â€�It is not known whether topical clotrimazole passes into the breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

ChildrenÃ¢â�¬â€�This medicine has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Older adultsÃ¢â�¬â€�Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of topical clotrimazole in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicinesÃ¢â�¬â€�Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.

Proper Use of This Medicine

Apply enough clotrimazole to cover the affected and surrounding skin areas, and rub in gently.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes.

When clotrimazole is used to treat certain types of fungus infections of the skin, an occlusive dressing (airtight covering, such as kitchen plastic wrap) should not be applied over the medicine. To do so may cause irritation of the skin. Do not apply an occlusive dressing over this medicine unless you have been directed to do so by your doctor.

To help clear up your infection completely, it is very important that you keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Since fungus infections may be very slow to clear up, you may have to continue using this medicine every day for several weeks or more. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses .

DosingÃ¢â�¬â€�

The dose of topical clotrimazole will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of topical clotrimazole. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so:

The number of doses you use each day, the time allowedbetween doses, and the length of time you use themedicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using clotrimazole.

For topical dosage forms (cream, lotion, and solution):

Fungal infections (treatment):

Adults and childrenÃ¢â�¬â€�Use two times a day, morning and evening

Missed doseÃ¢â�¬â€�

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

StorageÃ¢â�¬â€�

To store this medicine:

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store away from heat and direct light.

Keep the medicine from freezing.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If your skin problem does not improve within 4 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Skin rash, hives, blistering, burning, itching, peeling, redness, stinging, swelling, or other sign of skin irritation not present before use of this medicine

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.